Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Peter Nimble is a blind orphan and skilled thief who survives on the streets by picking pockets and breaking into homes. His life changes when he steals a mysterious box containing three pairs of magical eyes. The magical eyes transport Peter on a quest to rescue a kingdom in peril. Along his journey, he encounters unusual characters and faces tests of courage while learning to harness the power of the eyes. The story moves between moments of whimsy and darkness as Peter navigates treacherous situations. His companion Sir Tode, a half-cat half-horse knight, provides both aid and comic relief throughout their adventures. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of inner strength, the true nature of sight, and how disabilities can become unique advantages. The tale suggests that what others perceive as weaknesses may actually be sources of power.

Readers describe this middle-grade fantasy as whimsical and dark, with many comparing its style to Lemony Snicket and The Princess Bride. The storytelling approach resonates with both children and adults. Readers praise: - Unique blind protagonist who uses other senses - Creative world-building and magical elements - Witty narrative voice and clever humor - Complex vocabulary that respects young readers Common criticisms: - Slow start for first 50 pages - Some scenes too violent/dark for younger children - Plot can feel disjointed in places - Character development of secondary characters lacking Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect balance of whimsy and peril" - Goodreads reviewer "The violence gave my 8-year-old nightmares" - Amazon parent "Best blind character representation I've read" - BookRiot comment

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🔍 Author Jonathan Auxier wrote Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes as his debut novel, working on it for over four years while employed as a children's television screenwriter. 🦇 The main character, Peter, is a blind thief - a concept inspired by the real-world phenomenon of blind pickpockets in Victorian England. 🌟 The three pairs of magical eyes in the story correspond to different types of sight: physical vision, prophetic vision, and imaginative vision. 🎨 Before becoming a novelist, Auxier studied narrative theory and worked as an illustrator, which influenced the vivid, detailed descriptions in the book. 📚 The novel combines elements from classic children's literature like Peter Pan and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz while creating its own unique mythology about the nature of sight and blindness.